Thursday, February 11, 2010

Highly Recommended

by Christine Wells

Now that summer holidays are fast becoming a distant memory, I reflected today that I've been through rather a purple patch recently with reading matter. I thought I'd share some of these with you in case they hadn't come your way.

The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal

This is a novel I deliberately didn't read when it came out because I was writing a book on a similar subject. I'm so glad it finally found its way to the top of my TBR pile. Coincidentally, The Slightest Provocation is now being released in mass market paperback for the first time with this new cover, so please rush to the bookstore to buy your copy! It's always a comfort to find that a writer I like and admire as a person also writes wonderful books. This is a sexy, beautifully crafted novel, unlike anything I've read, devoid of cliches, yet it was such a satisfying romance, I cheered at the end.

The Mitford Girls by Mary S. Lovell

I became an Anglophile at an early age watching Love in a Cold Climate, the BBC dramatization of Nancy Mitford's witty fictionalization of her own life as one of English peer Lord Redesdale's six daughters. But in the Mitfords' case, reality was far more remarkable than fiction! Nancy wrote widely acclaimed novels and biographies and had a long-standing affair with Charles de Gaulle's right hand man while living in Paris; sister Debo married the man who became the Duke of Devonshire and is partly responsible for turning the grand estate of Chatsworth into the highly profitable business it has become; sister Unity was a fanatical fascist who became an intimate of Hitler and shot herself in the head when war broke out between Germany and Britain.

Another sister, Decca, was a Communist. She ran away to fight the fascists in Spain and eventually worked for the Communist Party in the United States, dodging the CIA. Diana married the head of the British fascist party, Sir Oswald Mosley and spent some of the war in prison because of her politics.

Their bewildered mother said of the Mitford girls that whenever she saw a newspaper headline that began "Peer's Daughter" she knew one of them had been up to something. On another occasion, she despaired that all her daughters must fall in love with dictators. This is a lively, witty biography that is well worth a read.

The C.S. Harris St. Cyr Mysteries

Anna Campbell first recommended this series to me and I heartily endorse her opinion. Nobleman, former soldier and unwilling sleuth, Sebastian St. Cyr is a complex blend of flawed human, aristocrat and superhero. Harris brings Regency London to life in all its seamy and glittering glory in this tightly plotted murder mystery series.

For Regency historical lovers, this series is a must. The romantic threads took a spellbinding twist in the latest instalment, What Remains of Heaven. I cannot wait to see how the characters deal with the tough choices ahead of them!

104 comments:

Ah, well, I don't have time to keep track of that feathered menace today anyway. :-)

As for books I've read and loved lately, I've been too busy with Rita books to pick out my own. But my husband keeps stacking them up on my TBR pile when he finishes them, & right now I'm supposed to be starting The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. But I have such a hard time with Danish and/or Scandanavia writers working in English. There's something about the structure of their native language that flows into their English & makes it (to me, anyway) feel very clinical.

My husband says this book is worth getting over that. We'll see...

But I'm totally intrigued by Love in a Cold Climate (I'm sure I just butchered that title, but you know what I mean.)

Good morning! Congrats, Mariska. Hope the wily one is good company today. :-)

Christine, I've been wanting to get hooked on the C.S. Harris series. I love historical mystery series and this one sounds so intriguing. Must remember to pick them up.

I stayed up too late last night finishing the latest Kristan Higgins, The Next Best Thing. I'm such a sucker for her books and this one did not disappoint. But now my eyes are so puffy from crying through the last few chapters that I can barely see the computer screen! Yes, that's a recommendation! :-)

I'm about to begin the latest in the Della Cooks mystery series by the lovely Melinda Wells. Looking forward to it!

After that, I'll start on my Rita books. I don't know any of the authors so I'm hoping to find some hidden gems in the stack!

I too am in the midst of judging the RITA, so no reading of my own other than a few pages here and there of a book called Living Oprah. I'm just at the beginning, but it's about a woman who decided to dedicate a year of her life to living the advice Oprah gives on her show, Web site and in her magazine to see if it would, in fact, make her life better.

Right now I'm reading Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. It's a medieval murder mystery, and like all her novels (either written under the Franklin pseudonym or as Diana Norman) the past is brought to *extremely* vivid life.

I just finished Divorced, Desperate, and Deceived, the third in a series by Christie Craig. I read and enjoyed the other two, but this was the best. One of the secondary characters won my heart, and the ending was incredibly satisfying.

I glommed the Princess Diaries in about a week and a half. All 10 of them. I think I read 3 in one day actually (and I work full time--so I spent a Saturday just reading Diary books.) I loved them and recommend them highly.

I have gotten into Tessa Dare's debut trilogy. I've really gotten into her series now and recommend her. I love her writing style a lot; she has a great turn of phrase and lots of funny stuff. Very smart. The heroines are like Lydia Bennet Gone Wild variety. If you like your regency heroines more on the wild side, these are the books for you.

I've also picked up Susan Holloway's mistress books. (I prefer my historical novels to be a bit more, well, historical. So I'm LOVING these. I should have gotten these sooner!)

And since Louisa brought up MI-5, how could I refrain from commenting on it??

Love, love, love to death BBC's Spooks AKA MI-5, particularly since season seven has Richard Armitage. Season eight is over with in the UK; the US DVDs won't be out until summer of 2011; not sure about the Aus versions.

Since most of my reading is non-fiction, my recommendation probably won't be of much interest here. However, I really enjoyed "The Next 100 Years, A Forecast for the 21st Century" by George Friedman who is the founder of STRATFOR intelligence.

Your blog comes at an excellent time, Christine. I'm doing a booksigning at a B&N and afterwards plan to roam the shelves, stocking up on books to add to the TBR pile - not that the pile is diminishing, but I'm afraid to miss all the new releases!

I've been reading RITA books and some nonfiction - most recently Bloody Business by H. Paul Jeffers. It's an anecdotal history of Scotland Yard and has some interesting nuggets that might make their way into a book.

Loving my RITA books, BTW. It's so good to read in a different genre every once in a while.

Christine, that CS Harris mystery series looks like Da Bomb! So does that first one with the hot couple on the cover. I'm all about no cliches in an historical. If it can be fresh in that Regency-ish era, I want to read it.

I just finished Kate's new book, If Books Could Kill and everyone knows I've been raving about it ever since. I just re-read an old one from a basket of books I keep by the sofa actually. Susan Anderson's Getting Lucky.

I'm also reading How to write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card, which Nancy recommended to me. I'm working on a futuristic series right now and this book is helpful, but not particularly fun to read.

I don't have nearly enough reading time. I'm even behind on some Bandita Books.

Keira, I LOVE Spooks! My husband is hooked as well, of course, I watch for Richard Armitage *snork* Really, it is a fantastic show. Action, intrigue...did I mention Richard Armitage??

I just read 'If He's Sinful' by Hannah Howell and enjoyed far more than I thought I would! And no Highlanders for once! And how pleasantly surprised I was to find out this was really a historical/paranormal, (or it was to me, at least)with the heroine and her 'special gifts'. Lots of villains, action, and Ash, the hero, is wonderful.I am reading Anna Campbell's 'Untouched' right now.Don't get me started, or I may start blubbering on my keyboard...

Christine, really enjoyed your post. Although I need new books to read like I need a hole in the head. However, having said that, I can't wait to read the new Sebastian St. Cyr. There was a twist in Where Serpents Sleep that made me desperate to find out what happens next. I think she's written Devlin absolutely beautifully - he's a wonderful hero! And I love it when the brain is the sexiest part of a man and it is with him, appealing as the rest of him is!

I've got Pam's book on my TBR pile. And I think the Mitford Girls book sounds fascinating.

I just read an ARC of Caroline Linden's next book, YOU ONLY LOVE ONCE. And it's a beauty! I also read and really enjoyed a book from a couple of years ago that actually won a RITA for best historical. THE BOOK OF TRUE DESIRES. It was like Indiana Jones with lots of romance. Yummy!

Hey, Hank! So glad to see you! We loved having you as a guest - please come back again!

Seriously, I cannot recommend the C.S. Harrises more highly! They've fabulous and while they're definitely mysteries, there's such a strong romance thread that diehard romance readers will be happy too.

I know what you mean, Susan. I have the same trouble with Asian native writers. When I taught English I learned in a workshop that it has to do with cultural differences in writing. American English writers could be graphed in a straight line, but Asian writers tend to hide meaning, so if you charted their story, it'd be more circular. Does that make sense? Anyway it's interesting.

I have just started reading Laura Kinsale's Lessons In French and loving it and I also discovered Pamela Palmer last year her Feral Warrior series is awesome and I gotta say Jo Davis's The Firefighters Of Station Five series are fantastic books I have just finished Hidden Fire WOW and Jane I loved Lori Brighton's book and I have Beverley's on the TBR pile.So many books to read never enough time to read LOL

Gillian, don't worry, many of us do that--I often find I've used the same word three times on a page when I got back to revise a book. It's actually a sign to me that my subconscious mind took over when I wrote it! And that's a really good thing:)

Oooo Christine, great post! :) Thanks for the book recs! As for fabulous books I've read recently... Coming Undone by Lauren Dane (is that recent enough?) Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis. And upcoming book - Leave Me Breathless by HelenKay Dimon.I've also enjoyed stories by Jess Dee, and India Grey recently... :( But am not getting in as much reading as I'd like. Can't wait for February to be *over!!!*

Heh. In a moment of panic/I don't know what, the other night I bought about 20 new books... hope springs eternal and all, right, with thinking I'll have time to read? (And this was after I bought the "big name" books I've been looking forward to.)

Hi Kate! And another woohooo on hitting the NYT bestseller list!!!! Even higher than last time. We ought to break out the cabana boys and pop some champagne!

I thought Higgins was supposed to be funny? But that is the mark of a great contemp author, I think, to make you laugh and cry throughout the book. SEP can do that for me, too. Thanks for the recommendation!

And you will love St Cyr. Of course, being an historical hero he kills a lot more people than your Brooklyn!

Hi Hank! Thanks so much for coming back to visit and for the recommendations. I was intrigued by Gross when he was touted as writing women well. I must check him out. Lucky you to get an ARC! Have fun with all the judging!

Jo, thanks for the Robert Crais recommendation. Another one I haven't read. I loved the first few St. Cyr but it's the two most recent ones that I've found so compelling--I think because of the romantic thread, if I must be honest. That arcs over all the mysteries and I'm compelled to read on to find out what happens!

I think 2010 has begun as a phenomenal reading year. I don't remember another year when I've had so many A reads this early in the year.

Like PJ, I definitely recommend Kate Moore's To Tempt a Saint. In addition to many others already praised, I've also recently read and highly recommend the following, which I don't think have been mentioned yet:

Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah--This may be KH's best yet. The Russian fairy tales and their connection to reality make the story unique and heartrending. I stayed up till the wee hours finishing it and wept buckets of tears.

This last one won't be available til early April but make a note of it--The Goddess of Fried Okra, Jean Brashear. If you liked Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, you should check out this extraordinary Southern novel with a group of unforgettable eccentrics and a theme of female empowerment developed with humor and emotional punch.

Hi Hellion! Interesting about the Princess Diaries. I'm a bit of a sucker for that kind of thing. I keep passing the movie in the DVD store with a wistful glance. Must be my inner princess!

Ah, yes, Tessa's trilogy was a breath of fresh air, wasn't it? She has a very engaging, intelligent style and her heroines certainly know what they want!

Oh and thanks for reminding me about SHS. I love good historical fiction when I'm in the mood. Went on a Philippa Gregory binge recently that cured me for a while but I'll soon gear up for another one. I suppose my quibble with historical fiction is that it often ends badly because it's true. Sigh. Women on the whole did not get their HEAs throughout history.

Oh, wonderful to hear about Madeline Hunter's latest. I'm a big fan of hers. Sabrina Jeffries always delivers a great romance, doesn't she? I haven't heard of Even but the MI5 reference intrigues me. Thanks for the tip!

Hi Keira, yes I'm hoping to get my dh hooked on Harris. After my sister-in-law, who now has the first in the series! I have Kinsale's book on my bedside table and will always run to a bookstore for Connie Brockway. She is such a witty writer. Haven't seen the McKee one. Thanks, I'll check it out!

Cassondra, I think it's really hard to write fresh Regency historicals but authors keep doing it, and it's wonderful to see. The body count is quite high in the St. Cyr mysteries, I must say--most of them down to St Cyr, actually! There wasn't quite so much accountability then. Looking forward to getting my hands on Kate's lates NYT BESTSELLER!! Sorry, I just had to mention that once again:) Thanks for the other recommendations.

I didn't know you were writing futuristic. Awesome! Let us know how it goes.

Hi Fo! I'm bringing The Mitford Girls and the latest St. Cyr with me to your house so I'll soon be adding to your tottering TBR pile! Thanks for the recommendations--I always enjoy books you love. LOVE the sound of Indiana Jones with a lot of romance thrown in! That was the one element missing from the movies, I thought.

Christine,I adore Highlanders, but Hannah Howell, well, that is all she did for years, so this book (If He's Sinful)was like a fresh breath of air, no Highlanders!And I agree, am not finished the book yet, but Matthew is just so wretched and tortured, but noble as you said. I could just weep. Anna does it again.

Jo, fascinating about the differences in writing styles between cultures. A Dutch woman told me that having read English, Australian and American fiction she can no longer read Dutch fiction because the Dutch seem to need to spell out absolutely everything, leaving no gaps for the reader to fill and it is (she feels) a poorer reading experience.

Helen, I'm looking forward to the new Kinsale, too. Jo Davis is a real favourite here in the lair. I'm so glad you're enjoying her books! Thanks for your recommendations. I know you read a lot so it's great to get your take.

Hi Lime! Thanks for the recommendations! Yes, what is it with us that we keep buying books even though we have a tottering TBR pile at home? I must admit, I don't read books in the order I buy them. I read what appeals to me right now. I get to the romance bookstore in town so seldom that I buy a slew when I'm there. However, Foanna put me on to the Book Depository in the UK and now there's no stopping me!

Janga, thanks so much for reminding me; I must grab a copy of Promise Me Tonight. It sounds wonderful! Hey, I love those recommendations. These sound like exactly the sort of things I feel like reading now. Thanks, Janga!

Christine, Karyn, and Kate:Spooks is fantastic!! The characterization and dialogue are tight and detailed. I especially love the quick comedic throwaway lines. My only quibble there is that Richard Armitage needs to get better with his diction. He mumbles, but I can forgive him anything. I mean, he IS Richard Armitage. I've caught myself getting so lost looking at him, that I miss stuff and have to rewind.

Christine, you and Fo are having an Armitage Fest? SOOOOO JEALOUS!!! I wanna come (whether I'm invited or not). I wanna!!! (wail)

I need recommendations for some new reads.I went to order The Slightest Provocation and found it won't be out until May. I think that is what it said.

I have just recently read Easy on The Eyes by Jane Porter. I loved it so much I had to get Odd MOM Out and The Frog Prince (bn.com had them on sale, yippee). I had already read Mrs. Perfect another great story by Jane.

I am going on a trip for a week in a couple of weeks and I need suggestions for books to order. So, I will be looking all over the blog for suggestions. I will be holed up in the hotel while the DH does his thing for his job.

Oh, dear! Hope you didn't think I meant I'd actually met RA!! I think I'd have died and gone to Heaven so I wouldn't be here to talk about it:)

No, just interviews he's done. There's a lovely one which you can probably find on Youtube where he talks about doing North and South and he's just so unassuming and intelligent. There was also a great interview on a blog where he talks about writing and that was fascinating also. I don't remember the blog--it was doing the rounds a while back but you might find it if you search.

Yeah, I really don't mind if he mutters in Spooks. It means there's more to pick up the seventh time I watch it!

Hi Gigi! Sorry about The Slightest Provocation---you can still get the trade paperback if you can't wait until May. I had the impression the MMP was out sooner than that. So sorry to mislead you, but please do order it. It will be worth the wait!

Oh, yes, Jane Porter is such a great writer and a big favourite here in the lair. If you're interested in reading her blogs with us, you can use the search function to find them.

Ah, loving the Richard Armitage discusssion. Sigh. Although Christine, I have to tell you, when you indicated you were going to meet him, I was plotting mayhem! Glad you cleared that up. Unless you intended to take me with! Drew, thanks again for the props for Untouched!

What do I recommend? Well, besides the people I've recommended by hosting them here, I always, perpetually and emphatically recommend the Lois McMaster Bujold Vorkosigan books. Miles is the perfect example of a hero who triumphs against overwhelming odds. Even if he isn't always lovable, I always root for him.

Street Magic, the dark paranormal I recently finished was quite good--a Scotland Yard detective inspector and the junkie mage friend she thought was dead fight creeping evil in modern London. Very dark, though.

Laura Anne Gilman's Retrievers series from Luna is urban fantasy, a bit on the dark side as the series progresses but not so much at first.

Lori Handeland's "Doomsday" paranormals are very good, also very dark.

Dune by Frank Herbert, a classic I'll probably be teaching again in the Fall.

Hi Danielle!! Wonderful to hear that you were so taken with the Mitford Girls. Aren't they a fascinating family? I think so much of their outrageous behaviour stemmed from being so intelligent and left with no outlet for their cleverness. Their father wouldn't let them go to school.

Jen, is that the Julia Child My Life in France? Vanessa who sometimes posts here lends it to me - luscious descriptions of food. I still dream about the first lunch she had when she hit France just after the war - delicieux!

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Donna MacMeans, Trish Milburn, and Nancy Northcott will all be in Atlanta for the Moonlight and Magnolias conference in Decatur, Georgia September 30 through October 2nd. If you're in the area, stop by for the booksigning. We'd love to see you.

Redeeming the Rogue by Donna MacMeans received a 4.5 star TOP PICK! review from Romantic Times Magazine.

Living in Color by Trish Milburn is now available on Kindle, Smashwords and at barnesandnoble.com for the Nook.